It was a time for strangers to come together for a common issue–suicide. The annual Out of the Darkness Walk is put on by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The walk started in Bloomington last weekend at Memorial Stadium and ended at the Showalter Fountain. For many attendees this was a time to remember the ones they had lost to the darkness of suicide.

A man, a father and the director of the Indiana Chapter of the AFSP shared his heartbreaking story of the loss of his son. His son committed suicide four years ago at Indiana University. He did not know the warning signs or the struggles his son kept hidden. He explained how he wears a 170 pound backpack on his shoulders when he walks to remind him of the burden his son carried.

“I can’t prevent suicide but I can fight for it,” he said.

It is a fight that is not easy. Many people who were walking created shirts with quotes, names and pictures of the loved ones they lost. Kids, adults, marines, and even pets, showed up to walk. In order to walk, each made a donation. Half of the donations would go to the national AFSP but the other half will stay right here in Indiana.

Korie Rice, the community walk chair, said that this walk is a powerful reminder that suicide has affected so many people. She also says that it’s not just one day of walking for suicide prevention but people can involved all year long.